$300 to spend on new graphics card

[1Hellcat]

Long story short, I have a $300 credit note at NCIX. It expires in June, so waiting for the 8000 series is out of the question. I can spend about $50 on top of the credit note if it nets me something that fits me better. I currently have an XFX 1GB 7850 Core Edition card, and after upgrading to a 1080p monitor, I'm finding it's not as amazing as it used to be. After selling my 7850, I might look into crossfiring whatever new card I get.

I'm looking for something that would be a significant step up from the 7850, and runs cooler and quieter. I'm not a fan of coolers that sound like a jet turbine under load. The 7870 Myst seems like the most obvious answer, but I've had bad luck with Powercolor before. That's not to say I won't go for it if it's the best fit. A 7950 looks a bit overkill, but I've been told overkill is the best kind of kill.

Normally it'd be an easy decision, but I'm having a hard time deciding over something that will fill what I need versus something that I can afford.

 

[Norton]

A) Pick up a 7870 (not the XT or Tahiti model) and crossfire it with the 7850

B) Pick up a 7950 (Sapphire/MSI Twin Frozer model), sell the 7850

Choice A will do well (7970 equivalent or slightly better) as long as crossfire is well supported in the game. Choice B is easier and gives you 3GB/384 bit memory....

 

[MxPhenom 216]

http://ncix.ca/products/?sku=71127&vpn=67NPH6DV5ZVX&manufacture=Galaxy Technology&promoid=1293

EDIT: Must your next card be AMD?

 

[newtekie1]

I was also going to suggest a GTX670, though this PNY is closer to the target price: http://ncix.ca/products/?sku=72414&vpn=VCGGTX670XPB&manufacture=PNY Technologies Inc&promoid=1293

 

[1Hellcat]

It doesn't have to be AMD, I'm just more familiar with them.

 

[nt300]

Yes you want overkill get another and crossfire them both.

 

[1Hellcat]

So this is what I'm looking at

7870:
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=80227&vpn=R7870-2GD5T/OC&manufacture=MSI/MicroStar&promoid=1293
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=79571&vpn=AX7870 2GBD5-2DHP&manufacture=PowerColor&promoid=1293
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=78690&vpn=11199-16-20G&manufacture=SAPPHIRE

7870 XT:
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=78372&vpn=AX7870 2GBD5-2DHPPV3E&manufacture=PowerColor

7950:
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=70...GD5/OC&manufacture=MSI/MicroStar&promoid=1393
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=79411&vpn=AX7950 3GBD5-2DHP&manufacture=PowerColor
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=81127&vpn=11196-19-20G&manufacture=SAPPHIRE
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=79518&vpn=11196-09-40G&manufacture=SAPPHIRE

670:
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=71...GD5/OC&manufacture=MSI/MicroStar&promoid=1393
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=72...manufacture=PNY Technologies Inc&promoid=1293

I like the 7870 options because they're cheaper, and I could use the remaining credit on something else (such as another 7870 after I sell my 7850). But then I hear the negatives of multi card setups. By itself, I'm not sure it's enough of an upgrade to warrant buying, though.

I wish they had Sapphire's 7870 XT. If the Powercolor doesn't sacrifice thermal performance too much for quieter operation, and it has good build quality, I'll consider it.

The 7950 options seem the most obvious. The MSI card is only $10 more than the credit (before rebate) and will definitely perform better than my 7850. I'm not sure how the Sapphire and Powercolor cards compare in thermal and sound performance. I'd imagine all of them are quite similar in those regards, and possibly not worth the additional cash.

I'm a bit wary on the reference 670s simply because they're a little on the loud and hot side, and my computer sits next to me on my desk. If this isn't a huge issue, I'll consider them as well.

So back to what I'm looking for in my next card. Something that will run cool and quietly while playing games well now and for the next few years on a single 1080p monitor. I'm trying to narrow down the choices for each category first, then pick which model to go with.

 

[TommyT]

HD Radeon 7950 of any brand will do just fine

 

[buildzoid]

you already have a HD 7850 so just buy a regular HD 7870 and CFX them as that will give you 2268 stream which will be equal to a HD 7970.

 

[DarkOCean]

7950 seems like your best option.

 

[adulaamin]

I'd say go the 7950 route and OC it to 7970 levels if needed. Single card, less issues, less hassle.